Has anyone had a Vitrectomy / Peel on their eyes ?

Hi. I had a vitrectomy operation six and a half years ago.

I thought I had a problem with my other eye and so covered it up to test my 'good' one. To my horror I realised that every perpendicular object I looked at was wavy, not straight. The 'bad' eye was perfect!.

I was referred by my GP to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and the diagnosis was confirmed. I then went on a waiting list. However, my family decided I should be seen privately and I am pleased that I did. In the time it took for me to see a private surgeon (three weeks) my sight had deteriorated (it was tested at Moorfields and tested again at this consultation). Had I waited for an NHS appointment it would have deteriorated much further.

I still do not have perfect sight. The central vision is a little distorted, so I have problems distinguishing a 5 from a 6, for example, although I can read pretty well.

Yes, I had to 'posture', which is hell on earth. We tied tennis balls to the sides of my nightie to try and stop me turning over. We tried my sleeping with my head hanging down off the bed but there is no question, nothing worked for me and I just had to keep as awake as possible. I was propped up by giant cushions on either side and tried the lounger but just slid down. Yet, would I do it again? Absolutely. Your sight is precious and if you need this operation, just have it done.

I was under light sedation and although not something I would volunteer for, it was perfectly doable, just grit your teeth and get on with it, thinking that the best outcome is better than the worst.

I had four lots of different eye drops after the operation and we had to compile a matrix just to cope with what should be taken when, as some of them had not to be within x hours of another. Still, it is all possible and please do not wait!

Oh, I am retired so working was not a consideration but six weeks seems a little excessive to me (non medical opinion!).

I was seen by my surgeon after ten days or so and we actually arranged another operation as the lens in my good eye was to be swapped for a synthetic one. Oops, I have not mentioned that during a vitrectomy, your lens will be replaced. The rationale for this is that your eye would, after such surgery, make a cataract to try to protect itself. As this is almost certain to happen, the lens is now replaced during the operation. Hence, six weeks or so after the 'bad' eye's operation, I had my 'good' eyes lens removed and replaced to even up the lenses in both eyes. I hope that makes sense!

Good luck but please don't delay.

Thank you for such helpful and kind responses.
The consultant is such an annoying pompous little man and I'm not sure I trust his judgement entirely.
I had multifocal lens implanted privately with Optimax in Aug 2020 mainly to try and improve my night time vision. That was when they found I had a film across the middle of my macular in the right eye. So the sight in my right eye is blurred. However Optimax don't want to try and re laser my right eye to improve it until the Vitrectomy / peel has been carried out.
The peel will at least sort some of the blurring I hope , but the way it was sold to me by the NHS consultant as a major operation has made me really hesitate.
EilaRose it it interesting they said you didn't need to 'posture' these days (love the phrase). Did you have it done privately? Which hospital if you don't mind me asking.

I’ve had one and although it was unpleasant it wasn’t that bad. The worst part was being facedown afterwards for 2 weeks. I cheated and after 10 days I could stand it anymore. Don’t do that because it left me with more scarring and a slight loss of vision in that eye. Afterwards I had to have a cataract op and an intraocular lens but I can still drive and my sight isn’t too bad in that eye. It got better as time went on and the site of the op healed.

Had a Vitrectomy in Nov 2020 to repair a tear in the right macular which was discovered during an annual eye examination and for me, there was no reason to suspect anything was wrong, so the suggestion of surgery came as a huge shock.

The surgery was done in a day hospital and I was sent home in a cab 3 hrs later, but I had been told that 'posturing' is not considered necessary these days and to sit and sleep normally but with a patch over the eye to prevent rubbing it during sleep. Except of course, not to bend, lift or carry heavy items, run, jump etc all normal precautions I would expect. I live alone and coped OK.

Naturally there were anti-biotic and steroid drops for better healing, my eye was a bit red for a few days and quite sensitive to light, but it had been suggested to wear my sunnies which I would have done anyway.

I slept in a recliner for a few nights mostly because my back was giving me heaps, from lying on it during the surgery...normally I'm a side sleeper.

A return visit to the surgeon the next day was 'everything normal, just proceed with what you are doing' and that I could drive again in 7-10 days depending on how it felt.

Don't blame you for being cautious as it's quite normal, I did a lot of research beforehand and had to endure the 75 minute surgery with no anaesthetic so it was more painful that it should have been. The anaesthetist told me he was giving me the injection and it might sting a bit, then I wouldn't feel a thing...however it was totally the opposite so I suggest to anyone to make sure they 'do' give the anaesthetic to make that part is more bearable. Of course, they both (being arrogant males) didn't accept what I had to say but I noted the surprised look on their faces once I said what happened. A genuine, caring male would have at least apologised.

Naturally I didn't return to the same pair for the Cataract removal shortly after, instead I chose another surgeon at a different hospital and had the most lovely anaesthetist who totally believed what I said about the first one. He was 'the' kindest man and explained 'exactly' what he was doing specially when it was time for the anaesthetic. He stood beside me to make sure it was taking effect prior to the surgeon commencing. Makes a huge difference to get such a nice professional who put my mind at ease. Sorry, didn't add this to scare you, but to make sure you are given anaesthetic because I didn't feel a thing during the cataract removal and implant surgery.

All the best and try not to worry too much...easy to say though, because I was quite hesitant too! Feel free to PM if you wish.

I had a vitrectomy on my left eye in May, 2020 to treat a macular pucker. I didn't think of it as a major operation compared to previous surgeries I've had but I understand that it is considered to be a significant eye procedure. I was back home after a few hours and yes, did have to position my head in a certain way for maybe a week or so. I recall sleeping in a recliner for at least a few nights. After the operation, my field of vision in that eye was affected but gradually improved over a few weeks to a month maybe. Everyone is different but I think you could expect to be off work a couple of weeks depending on how soon you can resume driving. Sun and bright lights were initially a bother but they sent me home with some nice, dark glasses.
My macular pucker was observed by the ophthalmologist and retina specialist for a couple of years (tested every 6 months) before it got worse and surgery could no longer be postponed. Because you're beginning a new job is it possible to delay the procedure for a bit?
"Did the operation do what it needed to do?" Good question which I've asked myself. My vision is improved but still distorted. Hopefully it stopped or slowed the progression.
Also worth noting, they said I'd likely need cataract surgery after the vitrectomy and I did, a year later.
I felt a lot of anxiety about this surgery so understand what you're going through. Feel free to pm me. Best wishes.

GrannySomerset Did you have to keep your head in a particular position for days on end after the op? It's almost like they are trying to scare me away from having the operation. So your opinion is really helpful. I have blurred vision in my right eye which in theory would be solved by the peel.
Did you feel it was a major operation?

I had this several years ago with no problems apart from. It being allowed to drive for four weeks. It was like having frosted glass removed from the affected eye.

Anyone?